Since 2013, SHRN has had a strong strategic partnership with Public Health Wales. Our collaboration aims to improve the health and well-being of children and young people across Wales by leveraging robust data and evidence.
The Health Promoting Schools Programme Board (HPSPB) in Wales enhances school community health and well-being by supporting the Welsh Network of Healthy and Well-being Promoting Schools (WNHWPS) and the School Health Research Network (SHRN). The board provides strategic advice and oversight, aligning these networks’ goals with current education and health policies. Jointly chaired by the Director of Health Improvement at Public Health Wales and the Director of DECIPHer, this collaborative leadership ensures alignment with both health and educational policies.
Key Aspects of Our Partnership – Integrating Research and Practice
- Robust Data Collection and Analysis
SHRN gathers extensive health and well-being data from schools, which Public Health Wales uses to shape policies and strategies. This data covers:
- Food, Fitness, and physical activity
- Mental health and emotional well-being
- Sex and relationships
- Risk behaviours
- School well-being policies and their impact
- Evaluation Infrastructure
SHRN offers a system for evaluating health programmes, providing crucial evidence that Public Health Wales uses to enhance national policies for children’s and young people’s health and well-being.
- Policy Development
Our partnership aids in creating evidence-based policies, such as the Whole-school Approach to Emotional and Mental Well-being. SHRN data has been identified as a key source for supporting schools in implementing the Framework.
- Targeted Interventions
By pinpointing areas with the greatest need, SHRN and Public Health Wales can deploy targeted health interventions, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
- Professional Development
The collaboration includes joint networking and professional development events, keeping educators and health professionals updated on the latest research and good practice.
- Workforce Development: The ADEPT training initiative led by DECIPher aims to improve the skills of Healthy Schools Coordinators in utilizing health and wellbeing data effectively. DECIPHer offers various short courses and programs designed to advance public health intervention methods, particularly in areas like mental health and wellbeing.
- Comprehensive Reporting
SHRN delivers detailed feedback reports to schools and local authorities, helping them understand their health and well-being data to make informed decisions and plan effective interventions.
- Curriculum Development
Our partnership assists schools in developing a curriculum that aligns with the Welsh Government’s mandatory Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience.
- WNHWPS Development and Delivery
SHRN is integrated with the WNSWPS programme delivery. Read more…
- Enhanced Data Use: SHRN and Public Health Wales have created a public health dashboard to track the health and well-being of secondary school learners in Wales. This dashboard covers areas like physical activity, mental health, bullying, and diet. It uses interactive visuals to show trends and patterns in the SHRN data. The latest updates have improved data sharing between secondary schools, giving a fuller picture of young people’s health. This helps in monitoring and evaluating health and well-being policies more effectively. Read More.
Policy and Practice Impact:
SHRN and Public Health Wales work together to shape national policies and practices, making sure that health and well-being strategies are based on solid evidence and achieve meaningful results.
Key examples
- Public Health Wales has adopted a new approach to urgently address the use of vaping products among children and young people.
- Vaping and Smoking amongst Version 1.0 Learners in Year 7 to 11 in Wales Analysis from The School Health Research Network (SHRN) Student Health and Well-being (SHW) Survey in secondary schools, 2023
- Social media regularly used by 48% of primary age children in Wales, report shows
- New vaping regulations welcomed as vape use rises among young people
- Physical activity up among secondary school pupils in Wales, but data also reveal increase in bullying
- Public Health Wales report examines how to optimise the role of school food in promoting nutrition and reducing health inequalities
Wales and WNHPWS are making a significant impact on the health and well-being of learners across Wales, creating a healthier and more supportive educational environment for everyone.
Discover More About Our Impacts
To learn more about the various ways we are making a difference, please return to our Main Impact Page for detailed insights and updates on our local, national, and global impacts.
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